Following two terms with the D.C. based Invasive Plant Management team as a crew member and then a crew lead, Veronica will be moving into a position with Fairfax County as an Urban Forester. During her time with the IPMT, Veronica was trained to identify and address various invasive plant species across the DC region using various methods including mechanical and chemical. In her new position, she will be working with the Urban Forest Management of Fairfax County, monitoring and managing invasive forest pests that pose a threat, such as spongy moth, fall cankerworm, and emerald ash borer.

After serving a 6-month service term as a Maintenance IP at Antietam National Battlefieldand earning non-competitive hiring eligibility through the Public Lands Corps, McCoy secured a permanent position as a Maintenance Technician where he will continue to manage the landscape of the park and its cemetery, rebuild fences and preserve historic buildings and other important projects.

He will also have the opportunity to work closely and pass on knowledge with the Maintenance and Natural Resource Interns that are hired at the park each year. A true full-circle moment!

Micki served on our Invasive Plant Management Team where she treated invasive plant species and helped restore native plant species at National Capital Region sites surrounding the D.C. area. After her service ends, Micki will be working as an Urban Forester with the District Department of Transportation to inspect, evaluate and manage urban tree populations.

Kalen, a member of the Nansemond Indian Nation, joined the program as a Cultural Steward Intern in 2022 with a focus of learning about and educating the public on the historic native site, Werowocomoco. After a second term as a Lead Intern and completing his degree in Environmental Studies, he secured a permanent role at the park where he will continue to manage this important part of Indigenous history and culture through maintenance and education.

Ryann joined the cohort as a Digital Design IP with the Civil War Defenses of Washington, focused on developing Junior Ranger and activity booklets for parks around the DC region, visiting parks to learn more about their history and adding in new and diverse stories to the booklets that will be available to the public for years to come. Through her internship she was able to develop connections within the Public History sphere in DC, and recently accepted a position in Museum Collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture where she will utilize her Master's Degree in History.

Erin served for a year with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park as a Digital Interpretation IP, revamping the parks digital media through photography, videography and graphic design to make the parks story accessible to all. Directly after her term ends, she will be starting as the Assistant to the Superintendent of the park.

Faith, grew up nearby and would often visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park. After volunteering at the park, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA supporting the volunteer program administratively as well as serving with ACC as a Service Learning IP, she was able to develop the skills necessary to move into a permanent role with the park directly after her service term ended. Faith will be working with the Business Management department as an Administrative Support Assistant.

Owen served for a year as a Land Steward Intern with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, monitoring private land easements across the state through GIS mapping. Directly following his term, he accepted a position with the Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative as a Conservation Field Assistant where he does similar work, engaging with landowners to ensure best practices are being utilized to conserve watersheds and lands.

Michael served with ACC at Antietam National Battlefield as a Resource Management and Maintenance IP. His training and Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority certificate assisted him in landing a role in southern Wyoming working at the Fossil Butte National Monument. There he will continue working in natural resources with the National Park Service.

Brandon served multiple terms at Antietam National Battlefield as an Education and Interpretation IP, developing and facilitating educational and living history programming to visitors of the park. With the help of the Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority, he was able to secure a position at Assateague National Seashore as a Recreation Fee Technician. In this role he will support visitors as they enter the park and continue his journey with the National Park Service.

Becca, who served with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation as a Land Steward IP, learned policies and skills related to private land easement monitoring in the state of Virginia. Through this internship she was able to land a permanent role with the host site directly after her term ended.